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2Sheet$-Sheet1. J. ASHCRAFT.

MOWING-MAGHZINE. NQ.169,669 v Patented Nov. 9,1875;

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o d 5 o -Q O O O O M w 1/7 a o 5 Z K ATTORNEYS N. PETERSFHOTQ-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. DV 6.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. ASHCRAFT. MOWING-MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 9,1875.

WITNESS s Q I'NVEQNTOR W dam MW @wz%f i ATTORNEYS N4 PETERS.PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHEW, WASHINGTON. n C.

Specification forming part of I ett To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB ASHCRAFT, of Frazeysburg, in the county ofMuskingum and State of Ohio, have invented a new and valuableImprovement in Mowing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact descriptionuof the constructionand operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,making a part of'this specification, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon.

Figurel of the drawings is a representation of a longitudinal verticalsection of my machine. Fig. 2 is a plan .view of the same, and Fig. 3 isalongitudinal vertical sectional view thereof. Fig. 4 is a sectionaldetail view.

This invention has relation to mowing-machines wherein the cuttingapparatus is arranged at the rear part and on one side of thedraft-frame, which latter is mounted on two transporting-wheels.

The nature of my invention consists in novel means for transmittingrectilinear reciprocating motions to the sickles, and for stopping andadjusting these motions, as will be hereinafter explained. It alsoconsists in pivoting the rear end of the draft-pole to the draftframe,in combination with a spring which will hold the cutting apparatus downto its work, but allow it to rise over obstructions, and accommodateitself to inequalities of surface passed over, as will be hereinafterexplained.

In the annexed drawings, A designates arectangular draft-frame, which ismounted on an axle,B, carrying two transporting-wheels, O (3. Inside ofthese wheels 0 (J, and secured to the axle B by radial spokes springingfrom hubs a a, are cam drivingwheels D D, inside of which arescallop-shaped cams b, which give vibrating motion to a crossbar, E,located near the front of the frame A. To the periphcries of the hubs aa spring-clutches c are secured, the free ends of which engage withratchet-teeth on the inside of the hubs a a of the transporting-wheels,which hubs receive in them the hubs a, a. When the machine is movedforward the wheels 0 0 turn the cam- -wheels D D; but when the machineis backed, wheels 0 0 turn loosely around the hubs a a,

U NI-TED Orrwai and do not actuate the cam-wheels. The vibratingcross-bar E is pivoted at the middle of its length to aneridwise-adjustable bar, F, which has its rear bearin g in a standard,(1, idsin g from frame A, and which has its front hearing upon across-bane, of two standards, d d. When the bar F is moved forward, andheld by inserting a pin,f, through it, and in front-of the bar 0, theanti-friction wheels 9 on' the extremities of the bar E will be broughtin contact with the cams on wheels D D, and bar E will receive vibrationfrom these wheels. By moving bar-F backward, and holding it by pinf,'thebar E will not be acted on by the cam-wheels. Near the extremities ofthe bar E are two swivel-pins, h h, to which the front ends of two rods,70 k, are attached. These rods are ad justabl y attached-to rods la la,which are attached to a vibrating head, G, applied fast on a verticalshaft, G sustained in bearings A at the rear of frame A. On this shaft Ganotlier vibrating head, G is secured,which is connected bypitman-rods'H H to two sicklebars, l l. These rods H H are curveddownward and outward, and are connected, by balland-socket joints, totwo sickle-bars, ll, which are applied on a bar, K, jointed at its innerend to a stirrup, L, depending from the main frame A. v

It will be seen that the cam-wheels will give a rapid reciprocatingmotion to the sickles,

the speed of which depends on the length of the cams of the wheels D.

N is a drafttongue, which is secured to a rock-shaft,N having itsbearings in the frame A, behind the axle B. The shaft N allows thedraft-tongue to vibratevertically, limited in its movements by apin, p,which is adjustably applied through a standard, which passes up thluunha guide fixed to the front crossbeam 01' frame A. An arm, N is securedto and extends back from the shaft N and is attached, by means of aconvolute spring, S,

to a cross-bar of frame A. The spring S operates to hold the cuttingapparatus down to its work, at the same time allowing it to rise anddescend, and thus accommodate itself to the inequalities of the'surfacepassed over.

It will be seen, by reference to the annexed drawings, that I use twosickles, workingin opposite directions, the blades of which are kept inclose contact by means of rods n n, ap-

plied'above and below them.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. Ina mowing-machine having two transporting-wheels, G U, and twocaxdwheels. D D, the vibratingbar E, pivoted to an endwiseadjustablebar, F, in combination with rods k 70'', vibrating heads G G, andpitma'n-rods H H, connected to the sickle-bars, substantially asdescribed.

2. The draft -tongue N, secured to a rockshaft, N, in combination withthe arm N, spring S, and with the check-pin 1o, substan tially asdescribed.

""lutestiinoiiy that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed myname in the presence of two witnesses.

' JACOB ASHGRAFT.

Witnesses:

W. D. PACKARD, S. P. PINE.

